The Chinese Community Building located at Kent and Florence.
A $2-million renovation of Centretown’s Chinese Community Building – part of an economic stimulus package backed by three levels of government – is set to receive bids from construction firms.
Built in the early 1980s with funds raised by Ottawa’s Chinese community, 80 Florence St. was never quite right, says Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes.
“There wasn’t enough money for a project manager to make sure it was well constructed, that it would last a good long time,” says Holmes.
The management of the small, non-profit housing corporation had specific health and safety concerns in mind when they asked for funding, says Cooper Hum, acting chair of its board of directors.
Two years ago, the board noticed widespread crumbling of the exterior bricks. City engineers investigated and determined the bricks weren't laid properly.
Indoors, residents endure chronic, heavy humidity since none of the building’s 46 units have properly vented kitchens or washrooms. Instead of venting outside, they vent into the main hallway.
Windows and doors are nearly all original and nothing has been upgraded for energy efficiency.
Holmes says the lack of ramps render the building inaccessible to wheelchairs.
“There's an elevator inside, it's just getting to that elevator,” she says.
The architect hired by the board addressed all of these issues in the renovation blueprints.
“As far as health and comfort of our tenants is concerned, things are going to really improve,” says Hum.
Stephen Arbuckle, housing manager of the city’s community and social services department, is working closely with the building’s directors to keep the project on track.
“This is a real opportunity for us to take a step towards improving the repair of social housing in Ottawa,” he says.
Last spring the provincial government earmarked $46 million for upgrading Ottawa’s social housing. The funding originated from a federal economic stimulus package highlighting infrastructure projects.
Eighty per cent of the money went to Ottawa Community Housing, while the remainder is being allocated to independent social housing organizations in need.